Chapter 5 - The Rose Garden
A month had passed since the downfall of Vittorio Moretti.
The poison had completely cleared from my system, and the cottage behind the rose garden had been demolished. In its place, Alessandro had commissioned a beautiful green park with a small playground, wooden benches, and flowers that bloomed in rich shades of red and gold.
I sat on one of the benches, wearing a soft cream-colored sweater, watching Emma run through the grass chasing a golden retriever puppy Alessandro had bought her for her birthday.
Footsteps sounded on the gravel path behind me.
I turned as Alessandro walked up, wearing a casual gray sweater and trousers, holding two warm mugs of cocoa. He set one down beside me and sat down on the bench, leaning back comfortably.
"She looks happy," Alessandro said softly, watching Emma laugh as the puppy licked her cheek.
"She is," I smiled, looking at him. "We both are."
Alessandro reached out, taking my hand in his. His large fingers folded gently over mine, warmth spreading through my arm.
"Elena," he said, his voice dropping into a sincere, quiet register. "I know how this year started. I know you came to this house as a maid, looking for nothing more than a safe place to raise your daughter."
I squeezed his hand. "You gave us more than safety, Alessandro. You gave us a home."
"I want to give you more than that," Alessandro said. He reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. He opened it, revealing a stunning, simple diamond ring that caught the late afternoon sunlight.
My breath hitched in my throat. Tears filled my eyes.
"I loved my sister with all my heart," Alessandro whispered, looking into my eyes with pure, undisguised devotion. "When I lost her, I thought my life was over. But when I found your daughter in that laundry room... scrubbing my shirt with her little wet hands... she brought me back to life. And when I looked at you, Elena... I saw the woman I want to spend the rest of my days protecting."
He looked at me, his eyes searching mine. "Will you marry me?"
I didn't answer with words. I leaned forward, throwing my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his in a deep, passionate kiss that tasted of cocoa, warm afternoon air, and absolute promise.
Alessandro wrapped his broad arms around me, pulling me tight against his chest, holding me as if he would never let go.
Emma came running over, the puppy tumbling behind her, clapping her tiny wet hands. "Mama! Boss man! Look! Puppy did a trick!"
Alessandro pulled back, laughing warmly, and reached out with one arm to lift Emma onto the bench between us.
"He’s not the boss man anymore, sweetie," I smiled, wiping a happy tear from my cheek.
Emma looked up at Alessandro with wide, innocent green eyes. "What is he then?"
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Alessandro leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I’m your daddy now, angel."
Emma grinned brightly, throwing her small arms around his neck. "Yay! Daddy!"
